130-Km Crack Splits Frozen Lake Erie Between US And Canada, Visible From Space

Last Updated:February 12, 2026, 23:32 IST

A massive 130 km mile crack has split Lake Erie from Canada to Cleveland, prompting warnings as shifting ice threatens flooding in nearby cities amid freezing and strong winds.

A massive crack has opened up across Lake Erie, one of North America’s five Great Lakes that forms part of the border between the United States and Canada, just as it appeared the lake might freeze over completely for the first time in nearly 30 years.

The fracture, stretching from Canada to Cleveland, is estimated to be about 130 km long and 5 to 6 km wide. The dramatic split was so vast that it was captured by satellite imagery from space.

Recent bitterly cold temperatures had frozen more than 95% of the lake’s surface. However, strong winds and shifting water currents beneath the ice caused the sheet to fracture.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a warning on Tuesday, cautioning residents against venturing onto the ice. Officials said a combination of milder temperatures and offshore winds could push the ice away from the shoreline.

“Anyone caught on the ice if it breaks away would become stranded. Stay off the ice today!" the NWS posted on X.

Authorities are also closely monitoring conditions as the ice begins to break apart. Large moving ice chunks can lead to ice jams in northeast Ohio, potentially causing flooding along riverbanks, something that has previously impacted communities such as Eastlake and Fairport Harbor.

News world 130-Km Crack Splits Frozen Lake Erie Between US And Canada, Visible From Space

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